Kelvin Syms: Tips for Building Your Financial

Portfolio

Kelvin Syms and his wife Gina own and operate KJ Syms, an investment firm. Prior to starting his firm, Kelvin Syms served as director of Northplan Financial Services, Ltd., where he concentrated on risk management and managed funds and

portfolios for clients.

Financial experts know that a balanced portfolio is the best way to minimize risk and generate

stronger performance. Start out by determining your financial goals. How much money do you want to generate, and by when? Your timetable plays a role in choosing assets. For example,

investing for the long-term mitigates volatility, the inevitable dip-and-rise patterns of most assets. Most commodities and stocks are considered

volatile, and are designed for long-term investment. A short-term goal such as a college

education, however, should include little volatility, as the investment might bottom out before you

can put it to use.

Next, think long and hard about your tolerance to risk. All assets come with risks; some simply introduce more than others. Stocks tend to

produce better returns over longer periods of time, but their value can plummet without warning.

Above all, remember that the key to building a strong investment portfolio is diversity.

Diversifying your portfolio with different types of assets helps ensure that some will prosper or

remain smooth, even as others fluctuate wildly.